You can add another name to the growing list of candidates who want to be Florida’s next agriculture commissioner.
Former GOP state representative, Baxter Troutman, announced Monday he is entering the 2018 race. He is the fourth Republican to file for the contest. Two Democrats have also filed to run.
Troutman, who served in the Florida House from 2002 to 2010, knows something about Florida’s agriculture industry. He is the grandson of the late Ben Hill Griffin, Jr., a citrus grower who was a prominent figure in the development of the state’s citrus industry.
Troutman is also a citrus grower.
“For two decades, I’ve been building a business and continuing my work in Florida agriculture. Real experience and success in the private sector is what we need more than ever,” Troutman said in a statement released by his campaign. “Working side by side with folks who send their hard earned money to Tallahassee, I know why it is so important to keep taxes low, balance our budgets and grow Florida’s economy.”
Troutman, from Winter Haven, announced he opened his campaign with a $2.5 million personal contribution. He said he made the contribution to demonstrate his commitment to the race.
“Every corner of this great state feels the practical and economic impact of agriculture, and we simply cannot afford someone in this important leadership position who doesn’t understand how to make it work for taxpayers,” Troutman added.
Troutman joins Matt Caldwell, Denise Grimsley and Paul Paulson as the Republicans who have filed to run for agriculture commissioner.
On the Democratic side, Michael Damian Christine and Daniel Sohn have filed to run.
They are seeking to succeed current Agriculture Commissioner Adam Putnam, who is serving his second term. He is term-limited under Florida law. Putnam recently launched a campaign for governor.
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